Storage apparatus



My 2 w. LAIR S TORAGE APPARATUS Filed March 31, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l His ATTORNEY May 10,1927.

. W. G. 'LAIRD STORAGE APPARATUS 2 Sheets-$heot 2 Filed March 31, 1.923

INVEN? HIS ATTORNEY Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE.

WILBUR G. LAIRD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

sronAeE arrann'ros.

Application filed March 31, 1923. Serial No. 628,960.

storage tank for holding water serving as a liquid seal into which the lower edges of the hell or lifts are ii'nmersed'to seal the interiorof the bell from communication with the at .mospherc. The construction of gas holders heretofore used does not permit the storage ,of volatile, inflammable liquids, such as gasoline, kerosene or petroleum, since, as the hell or lifts rise and fall, they carry on their outer surface afilm of the liquid in the liquid seal tank'which would evaporate and .thus create an explosive or inflammable atmosphere. about the tank, as well as causing a considerable loss of liquid. .Nor is the liquid seal tank as heretofore constructed, suitable for the storage of heavy, viscous, liquids, such as coal tar, as a coating. of the heavy residues would accumulate on the outer surface of the bell and lifts and thus create a very disagreeable situation.

These obstacles are overcome in the pres ent invention, in which a storage space entirely protected from contact withthe outer atmosphere and with the outer surface of the gas bell and lifts is obtained at a very small cost. Other aims of the invention are to rovide a storage apparatus having an inner liquid storage chamber or reservoir and an outer water seal in which a very thin, light weight, dividing wall may be emplo ed and to provide a storage apparatus in w ich the hydrostatic pressures of the water seal and of the stored liquid on this dividing wall are partly balanced. -Furth er objects and features of the invention are, to provide, in storage means of the above type, devices for preventing the stored liquid from flooding the water seal and for indicating the quantity of liquid stored.

lVith these and other objects in view the invention comprises the apparatus and structure described and set forth in the following specification and claims.

The various features of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a as and liquid storage apparatus for liqulds specifically lighter than water, the apparatus being illustrated diagrammatically and gludes. supporting elements and details of construction being omitted for the sake of simplicity and clearness, and,

Fig.- 2 is a similar vertical sectional view of a gas, and liquid storage apparatus for liquids heavier than Water.

In the present invention, the liquid tank 'in which the gas holder is sealed is divided by a suitable partition wall into an outer liquid seal compartment for water or other suitable sealing liquid and an inner liquid storage compartment. Each of these compartments is kept filled to an approximately constant level so that the volume of the gas space is not affected by the quantity of stored liquid in the tank. For this purpose, the con'lpartn'ients communicate With each other and are so arranged that in withdrawing the stored liquid, the liquid is displaced by the admission of water or sealing liquid Into a 1 draweoif pipe and when being refilled it displaces the displacing water until the capacity of the storage compartment is reached. The levels of the liquid in the compartments do not change materially in these operations and the overflow of storage liquid into the sealing compartment is positively prevented. As the hydrostatic pressures on opposite sides of the dividing wall or partition are approximately balanced, this partition wall may be constructed of a very thin, light material.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the invention is illustrated as applied to a gas holder of the usual construction, having a liquid seal tank 10, in which dips a gas hell or enclosin cover, a bell consisting of a lift 12 and a ell 14 being illustrated by way of example. A gas intake pipe .16 and an outtake pipe 18 of the usual type are also provided.

In the embodiment of the invention, the tank 10 is divided by a artition Wall 20, concentric with and space from the vertical wall of the tank 10, into a central storage compartment 22 and a surrounding, annular, sealing compartment 24. In Fig. 1 is illustrated an arrangement of. the apparatus for storing liquids specifically lighter than the sealing water and in Fig. 2 an arrangement for storing liquids speclfically heavier than the sealing water.

In .the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, the wall is supported, by suitable supports not shown. at a short distance above the bottom of the tank 10 to provide a passage 26 between the lower portions of the compartments 22 and 24. In filling the tank with sealing water. the water is supplied through a pipe 28 which has a vertical portion 30 extending up through the tank and opening at a level 32 even with that to he maintained in the water seal compartment. The water supplied through the pipe 30 sinks down through a surrounding pipe 34 to the bottom portion of the tank and rises until the desired level is reached in the sealing compartment 24. To prevent the water from'being projected over the top of the pipe 34 this pipe may be enlarged at its upper end as at 36 and provided with a defleeting bafile 38.

The light liquid to be stored. such as gasoline, kerosene or petroleu1n. is suppl ed through a pipe 40 having a vertical portion 42 extending upwardly in the compartment 22 to a level 44 to which the lighter liquid is to be filled. The level 44 is higher than the level 32 by a distance corresponding to the diilerence in densities between the liquid and water above a level slightlv higher than the bottom of the wall 20. and approximately even with the bottom of the pipe 34. The lighter liquid displaces the water in the compartment 22 into the pipe 34 through which it,rises until it reaches the level 32 and overflows thru the pipes 30 and 28. Since the level 32 of the outlet of the pipe 30 is lower than the level 44 at which the lighter liquid enters, the

displacement and overflow of water thru the pipe 30 will preventthe liquid level from rising above the level 44. When the dividing surface 46 between the liquid and water in the compartment 22 reaches the level of the bottom opening 48 of the pipe 34, the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid from the level of the opening 48 to the level 44 will just balance the hydrostatic pressure within the pipe 34. Any additional liquid admitted will, however flow under the lower edge of the pipe 34 and escape through the overflow pipe 30. By placing the level of the opening 48 above the lower edge of the wall 20, all danger of the bottom 46 of the liquid sinking below the lower edge 01. the partition and of the liquid escaping through the openin 26 into the compartment 24 is avoided.

To withdraw liquid from the storage com artment 22 water is su plied throu 'h the pipe 2830 and sinking downwardly through the pipe 34 enters the lower portion of the compartment and displaces the stored liquid upwardly until it overflows through the pipe 42. This may be continued until the upper level of the water reaches the outlet level 44 of the pipe 42 at which point all of the stored liquid will have been withdrawn from the tank.

During this displacement of the stored liquid, the level 32 will rise proportion ately with the displacement of the stored liquid and will reach the level 44 when the tank is empty of the lighter liquid. The level 32 of the water in the compartment. 24 may be conveniently measured by means of a water gauge 50 attached to the side wall of the tank 10 at the proper height and through this arrangement the quantity of liquid stored in the compartment 22 may be readily determined.

In the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 2 for the storage oi liquids heavier than the water used as a sealing liquid. the partition wall 20 rests on the bottom of the tank 10 forn'iing a liquid tight closure therewith and is of a less height than the level 32 of the sealing liquid. The sealing liquid may thereby iiow over the top edge of the wall 20 and maintain the compartment 22 always filled with liquid. The water supply and overflow pipe 30 is extended up above the top oi the wall 20 to the level 32 and the surrounding pipe 34 is omitted inasmuch as the water is in this case supplied to the upper body of liquid.

The tar or heavy liquid supply and ovcrilow pipe 42 extends to a level below the upper edge of the wall 20 and even with the level 44 of the heavy. stored liquid when the apparatus is filled to capacity. The pipe 42 is surrounded by a pipe 52 having a lower opening 54 immediately above the bottom of the tank 10 and having a function somewhat similar to that of pipe 34 of Fig. 1. In filling the compartment 22 with the heavy liquid. the liquid is sup plied throngh the pipe 42 and sinks downwardly through the pipe 52. The liquid passes downwardly through the opening 54. spreads throughout the lower part o" the compartment 22 and displaces the superjucent water into the pipe 30 which now acts as an overflow pipe. \Vhen stored liquid is to be withdrawn. water is supplied through the pipe 30, displacing the heavier liquid upwardly through the pipe 52 from which it overflows through the overflow pipe 42 and is withdrawn. In this arrangement the weight or hydrostatic pressure. at the bottom of the compartment 22 will indieate the height to which the con'lpartment is filled with the heavier liquid. This pres sure may be measured in any suitable manner.

In the embodiments of the invention described above the hydrostatic pressures on opposite sides oi the partition wall 20 are balanced at the bottom of the wall and are partly balanced throughout the greater part of the upperportion of the wall, the (litterence in the pressures being limited to the hydrostatic pressure between the levels 32 and 44. Accordingly, a very much lighter wall may be employed than if the pressures were not balanced.

Through this invention, also, the stored liquid is perfectly scaled from the atmosphere, no air being drawn into the tank when liquid is being withdrawn and no gas being expelled when the tank is being tilled. A very safe and tire proof storage is thus provided and the invention may be applied where the primary l'nn'posc is the safe storage of'liquidsas well as the storage of gas.

" In this case the construction may be simplified somewhat.

As the above detailed description is for the purposeof illustrating the invention. it will be understood that various moditica the broader features of the invention.

Having described the lIlVtlltlOtl, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Appa 'atus of the type described which comprises, a tank, an inner wall in said tank spaced from the side wall of said tank. to form an inner liquid storage compartment and an outer liquid seal compartment, said inner and outer compartments communicating at one edge of said inner wall, a bell extending over said inner wall. and having its lower edge immersed in the liquid in said outer compartment, and means to maintain tions may be made without departing from r a sufficient depth 0t' liquid in said outer compartment to provide a seal for said bell in 1ts normal rise and fall during the introduction and withdrawal of gas.

2. Apparatus of the type described which comprises, a tank, an inner wall in said tanka spaced from the side wall of said tank to form an inner liquid storage L'Olllllttltllltllt and an outer liquid seal compartment, means for displacing stored liquid in said storage compartment with water in emptying said compartment of stored liquid and for displacing said water with liquid to be stored in filling said compartment to hold the surface of sealing liquid in said outer compartment within narrow limits, and a bell extending over said inner wall and having its lower edge immersed in the liquid in said out-er compartment.

3. Appa 'atus of the type described which comprises, a tank, an inner wall in said tank spaced from the side wall of said tank to form an inner liquid storage compartment and an miter liquid seal compartment, said inner and out-er compartments coimnunicatin" at the lower edge of said inner wall. a bell extending over said inner wall and hav-' ing its lower edge immersed in the liquid in said outer compartment, means to maintain a suflicient depth of liquid in said outer compartment to provide a seal for said bell in its normal rise and fall during the introduction and withdrawal of gas.

4. Apparatus of the type described which comprises, a tank, an inner wall in said tank spaced from the side wall of said tank to form an inner liquid storage compartment and an outer liquid seal compartment, said inner and outer compartments connnunicating at the lower edge of said inner wall, means for displacing stored liquid in said storage compartment with water in emptying said compartment ot stored liquid and for displacing said water with liquid to'loe stored in filling said compartment, while n'iaintaining the liquid surface in said outer compartment at a substantially constant level, and a hell extending over said inner wall and having its lower edge immersed in the liquid in said outer conmartment.

5. Apparatus ot' the type described which comprises. a tank. an inner wall in said tank spaced from the side wall of said tank to form an inner liquid storage con'martment and an outer liquid seal compartment, means for displacing stored liquid in said storage cmmuirtmcnt with water in emptying said compartment of stored liquid and for displacing said water with liquid to be stored in lilting said compartment, while maintaining the surface of liquid in said outer compartment at a substantially constant level, and means for enclosing the space above said inner compartment and sealing said means in said outer compartment.

(3'. Apptlltllllb' of the type described which con'lprises, a tank, an inner wall in said tank spaced from the side wall of said tank to form an inner liquid storage compartment and an outer liquid seal com iiartment, said inner and outer compartments communicating at one edge of said inner wall, means for supplying and withdrawing storage liq uicl and water from and to said tank, said means auton'iatically withdrawing one of said liquids when its surface reaches a limiting level and a bell having its lower edge immersed in the liquid in said outer compartment.

7. Apparatus of the type described which comprises, a tank, an inner wall in said tank spaced from the sidewall of said. tank to form an inner liquid storage compartment and an outer liquid seal compartment. said inner and outer compartments connnunicating at the lower edge of said inner wall, meansd'or supplying and withdrawing storage liquids and water from and to said tank, said means automatically withdrawing one of said liquids when its surface reaches a limiting level to maintain the surface of liquid in said outer compartment at a substantially constant level, and a bell having its lower edge immersed in the liquid in said. outer compartn'ient. I

8. Apparatus of the type described which comprises. a tank for liquids, an inner wall spaced from the side wall of said tank to form an inner hquld storage compartment andan out'er hqmd seal compartment comimunicating with said inner compartment at spaced from the side wall of said tank to form an inner liquid storage compartment and an outer liquid seal comparhnent'communicating with said inner compartment at the bottom portion of-said tank, a liquid inlet and outlet pipe for storage liquid communicating with said inner (,'on'1]n1rtment, means for automatically withdrawing storage liquid when its surface reaches a delinite level. means for withdrawing sealing liquid when its surface rises above a limiting level whereby the surface ot said sealing liquid is maintained at a suhstantially-constant level and a bell having its lower edge immersed in said sealing liquid.

10. A 'iparatus of the type described which comprises. a tank for liquids, an inner wall spaced from the side wall of said tank to form an inner storage liquid compartment and an outer sealing liquid compartment communi -ating with said inner compartment at the bottom of said tank. a liquid inlet and overflow pipe opening at the surface of said sealing liquid. a surrounding pipe for said inlet openlng above and below the inner liquid level, an inlet and overflow in said inner compartment opening at the surface of said inner, storage liquid. and a bell having its lower edge immersed in said outer, sealing liquid.

11. A 'iparatus of the type described which comprises, a tank for liquids, an inner Wall spaced from the side wall of said tank to form an'inner storage liquid compartment and an outer sealing liquid compartment communicating with said inner compartment at the bottom of said tank. a liquid inlet and overflow pipe opening at the surface of said sealing liquid, a surrounding pipe for said inlet and overflow pipe opening above and below the upper and lower surfaces of said storage liquid respectively, an inlet and overflow pipe in said inner compartment opening at the surface of said inner, storage liquid. a bell having its lower edge im' mersed in said outer, sealing, liquid, and a water level gauge on said tank.

12. Apparatus .of the type described which comprises, a tank having an inner compartment and an outer, surrounding,

compartment, means for placing said compartments; in communication at a definite level below the normal liquid level of the outer compartment, a gas bell covering sa d inner con'ipartment and sealed in the liqmd of said outer con'ipartment, and means for maintaining a sull'icient depth of liquid in said outer compartment to provide a gas seal for the bell in its normal rise and tall during the introduction and withdrawal of substantial amounts of gas.

13. Apparatus of .the type described which comprises, a tank having an 1111101 compartment and an outer con1partment, means for establirhing a hydrostatic balant-e at a dctinite level between said c0111- partments, means for tilling said inner compartment with a liquid at levels other than said level of hydrostatic balance, a gas hell covering said inner compartment and sealed in the liquid in said outer compartment, and means for maintaining a sutiicient depth of liquid in said outer compartment to provid a gas seal for the hell in its normal rise and tall during the introduction and withdrawal of substantial amounts of gas.

14. Apparatus of thc type described which comprise, a tank having an inner compartment and an outer surrounding compartment, means for placing said compartments in communication at. their lower levels, means for filling the inner compartment with a liquid lighter than water, means for maintaining liquid in said outer compartment at a substantially constant level, and a gas bell covering said inner compartment and sealed in the liquid of saidouter compartment.

15. Apparatus ot the type described which comprises. a tank having an inner storage compartment and a surrounding liquid seal compartment, :1 bell covering said inner compartment and sealed in said outer compartment, means for maintaining the liquid in said outer compartment at a substantially constant level, and means for maintaining the liquid pressure in the lower portion of said storage compartment substantially equal to the liquid pressure in the lower portion ofsaid surrounding liquid seal loo compartment as stored liquid is withdrawn Y from, or supplied to said storage compartment.

16. A method of storing liquids which comprises, surrounding the liquid with a sealing liquid, enclosing the atmosphere.

v ing store which comprises, surrounding and su porting.the stored liquid with a sealing 'quid, displacing said sealing liquid downwardly in adding stored liquid and displacing said storage liquid upwardly with sealing liquid in withdrawing said stored liquid to maintain the total volume of liquids approximately constantand enclosing the atmosphere above said storage liquid in a bell sealed in said surrounding sealing li uid.

18. A method of storing liquids which comprises, surrounding the liquid with a sealing liquid, enclosin the atmosphere abo said liquid in, a el surrounding sealing liquid, and dis lacing storedli aid with water when wit drawliq uid and dis lacing said water with stored liquid when lling, to maintain the total volume of liquids approximately constant. p

19; A method of storing volatile liquids which comprises surroundin. the stored liquid with asealing liquid, displacing said stored liquid upwardly with water when withdrawing said stored liquid and displacl sealed in said ing said water downwardly when adding stored liquid to maintain a substantial ba ance between the static head of the sealing liquid and the static head of the stored liquid and displacing. water, andenclosin the atmosphere above said stored liquid in a belil, sealed in said surrounding sealing liqui 20. Apparatus of the type described which comprises a tank, an inner wall or ring in the said tank spaced from the side wall of the tank to form an inner liquid stora e compartmentand an outer liquid scale compartments being in communication, a bell extending over said inner wall and having its edge immersed in the liquid of said outer compartment, and means for keeping liquid in said outer compartment being positioned within the ring and having its inlet end, opening adjacent the to of the ring.

In testimony whereof I a x my signature.

WILBITR G. LAIRD.

compartment,'said inner and outer 

